Lag-plate.



M. G. CHASE.

LAG PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED APB.18, 1912.

1,101,059, Patented June 23, 1914 Inventor: Mou/torv .G, C ase,

His Jqttr'ne.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTC.

MOULTON Gr. CHASE, 0F CLIFTONDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LAG-PLATE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MoULToN G. CHASE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cliftondale, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lag- Plates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to lag plates which are adapted to be used in electric meters.

The objects of my invention are to simplify and improve the construction of such plates, thereby effecting an economy in the manufacture and in improvement in the operation of the same.

For a further understanding of my invent-ion, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings where- Figure 1 shows in front elevation, the essential elements of an electric meter employing my improved lag plates, the connections and outer casing being omitted for the sake of clearness; Figs. 2, 3 and 4: show respectively, in perspective, a punched blank for making one form of my improved lag plate,the method of bending the blank and afinished plate.

The meter is of a well known type, comprising a magnetic circuit 5 and 5, potential coils 6, series coil 7 and disk armature 8. Between the potential and series coils and adjacent to the armature are the flux shifting devices, that is, the lagging plate 9 for lagging the potential flux in the usual manner, and the friction compensating device 10. These devices are arranged in a plane substantially parallel to that of the armature. The friction compensating device, or starting plate, is adapted to be adjusted, being held in the correct position for compensation of the armature and register friction by means of screws 11 cooperating with slots 12.

The foregoing type of meter forms no part of my invention, the improvement which I have made residing in the construction of the lag plates.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4:, it will be seen that my improved lag plate consists of a single piece of sheet metal suitably punched and bent. The punched blank consists of an attaching part 13 and two hollow squares 14 and 15 in checkered relation and having their hollow portions connected by a slit 16. In constructing a lag plate from this blank, the square 15 is bent on the line- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 18, 1912.

Patented June 23, 191a.

Serial No. 691,631.

ab, and the attaching part 13 is bent in the opposite direction on the line 06Z, as shown in Fig. 3. When this process of bending is completed, the plate will appear as shown in Fig. 1', the sides 17 and 18 of squares 15 and let respectively being superimposed. VVhen the plate is used, a piece of insulating material 20 is placed between the side members 17 and 18, so that the electric circuit will be completed around the plate in zig-zag manner. It is thus evident that the lag plate when finished comprises two conducting members superimposed in reversed and inverted relation and integrally connected at their end portions. The attaching part 13 of the starting plate is preferably provided with slots 12 and end pieces 19 which form a convenient means for adjusting the plate in its proper position in the meter. The lag plate 9 is usually made non-adjustable, although it is evident that this feature of the construction may be varied to suit existing conditions without departing from the spirit of my invention.

My improved lag plate thus comprises two conducting members integrally connected at their ends to provide a closed circuit for the flow of current; each member being constructed to form three sides of one hollow figure, for example, a square as illustrated in the drawings, and one side of a second and similar hollow figure. These members are superimposed so that the one side of each member completes the fourth side of the hollow figure of the other member. It will thus be seen that each member provides a path for the fiow of current in substantially three directions, and when the members are superimposed in operative relation the direction of flow of current in one half of each member is opposite to the direction of flow of current in the corresponding half of the other member.

A lag plate constructed in accordance with my invention provides a closed circuit for the electric current consisting of one continuous and integral piece of conducting material. The conductivity of the electric circuit is therefore entirely definite, since the uncertainty of soldered joints is avoided.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A lag plate for an electric meter comprising a single integral piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form two hollow figures, each figure having one side superimposed upon but insulated from one side of the other figure.

2. A lag plate for an electric meter comprising a single integral piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form two hollow rectangular figures, each figure hailing one side superimposed upon a corresponding side of the other figure, and insulating means between said superimposed sides.

3. A lag plate for an electric meter co1nprising asingle integral piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form a continuous zig zag path for the flow of an electric current, and an attaching member integrally secured to said plate and adapted to 0per atively secure the plate in the meter.

at. A lag plate for an electric meter comprising a single integral piece of sheet metal bent upon itself to form substantially an 8-shaped figure, the central portion of such figure consisting of tWo superimposed members separated from each other by insulating material, thereby providing a continuous Zig-zag path for the flow of an electric current.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of April 1912.

MOULTON G. CHASE. itnesses:

JOHN A. MoMANUs, J12, ROBERT SHAND.

Uopies or this patent may be obtained for five cents cacti, addressing the (idmin'issioner of Patents, Washington, I). G." 

